Religious Studies

What is Religious Studies

Learn to think deeply about the origin and purpose of life, and ask BIG questions

Ex​plore​​ the​ wide range​ variety​ of​ religious responses to ​ human beliefs and behaviours surrounding these ​age-old question​s​: What is the meaning of life?​ What is the good life? What is love? What is evil?​ ​Does God exist? Examine the wisdom drawn from diverse religious traditions to these questions, and consider the variety of ways religion shapes culture and society, and vice versa. ​Compare and understand how religion affected the lives of ancient peoples, and consider how it affects humankind today. How has religion shaped culture and society?

Your studies will focus on western religious thought, biblical studies, religion and modern culture, and contemporary religious issues. ​Now​​, more than ever​ before​, it is ​vital​​ to understand the ​complexities of religious thought and practice​, in light of our globalized and multicultural society.​ While not promoting a particular religion or viewpoint, Religious Studies fosters respectful, informed, productive dialogue on questions that are central to human existence.

Thorneloe courses count as Humanities credits and may be used towards a major in Religious Studies at Laurentian with a 3 or 4-year BA.

1st Year:

Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.

* Students must complete at least 6 RLST credits at the 3000 level

2nd and 3rd Years:

Area I: Judaeo-Christian Tradition

credits: 6

Area II: Religions of the World

credits: 6

Area III: Religion and Modern Culture

credits: 6

other RLST credits at the 2000 or 3000 level*

credits: 12

Electives

credits: 30

4th Year:

RLST credits at the 4000 level

credits: 12

additional upper year RLST credits*

credits: 12

Electives

credits: 6

Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

years: 3 TOTAL CREDITS: 90

Concentration

TOTAL CREDITS: 36

6 credits from:

RLST 1005E (6 cr)

RLST 1106E (3 cr)

RLST 1107E (3 cr)

RLST 1116E (3 cr)

RLST 1117E (3 cr)

Social Science Electives

credits: 6

Science Electives

credits: 6

other Electives

credits: 12

Note:

Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.

Upper Years:

Area I: Judaeo-Christian Tradition

credits: 6

Area II: Religions of the World

credits: 6

Area III: Religion and Modern Culture

credits: 6

other RLST credits at the 2000 or 3000 level

credits: 12

Electives

credits: 30

Major

6 credits from:

RLST 1005E (6 cr)

RLST 1106E (3 cr)

RLST 1107E (3 cr)

RLST 1116E (3 cr)

RLST 1117E (3 cr)

Area I: Judaeo-Christian Tradition

credits: 6

Area II: Religions of the World

credits: 6

Area III: Religion and Modern Culture

credits: 6

RLST credits at the 4000 level

credits: 12

additional upper year RLST credits

credits: 6

Electives**

credits: 78

Notes:

Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.

** Students must complete a minimum of a minor (24 credits) or a second major (42 credits) from among their elective credits.
Must include 6 credits in the Social Sciences and/or 6 credits in the Sciences if not part of the minor or second major

Minor

6 credits from:

RLST 1005E (6 cr)

RLST 1106E (3 cr)

RLST 1107E (3 cr)

RLST 1116E (3 cr)

RLST 1117E (3 cr)

RLST credits at the 3000 level

credits: 6

additional upper year RLST credits

credits: 12

BA Regulations (Laurentian University)

(as published by Laurentian University in April 2015)

BA – Promotion Requirements

To be in good academic standing in a B.A. program, a student must:

have satisfied all conditions of admission;

have maintained a concentration/specialization/major GPA of 3.5;

have failed no more than six of the previous 30 credits;

have achieved a GPA of 3.5 in the previous year or in the previous 30 consecutive credits.

A student is subject to a one-year probationary period if he or she:

fails more than 6 credits in an academic year or a sequence of 30 credits;

does not maintain a minimum concentration/specialization/major or overall GPA of 3.5 in an academic year or a sequence of 30 credits.

A student is required to withdraw from the university if he or she:

does not satisfy all conditions of admission after one year or 30 consecutive credits;

fails more than 42 credits;

has not achieved good academic standing in two consecutive years or 60 consecutive credits.

Students required to withdraw may petition the Senate Committee on Academic Regulations and Awards for readmission after one calendar year, with a recommendation from the academic unit prior to consideration by the committee.

BA Graduation Requirements (pre-September 2017)

To graduate with a 3 year Bachelor of Arts degree, a student must:

meet all stated requirements for the degree;

complete 90 credits after no more than 132 credit attempts, with a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 (only courses taken at Laurentian University or its affiliated colleges are included in the calculation of averages);

not count more than 42 credits of first year courses.

minimum of 6 credits in Sciences

To graduate with a 4 year Bachelor of Arts degree, a student must:

meet all stated requirements for the degree;

complete 120 credits after no more than 162 credit attempts, with a minimum GPA of 3.5 (only courses taken at Laurentian University or its Affiliated Colleges are included in the calculation of averages);

not count more than 42 credits of first year courses.

minimum of 6 credits in Sciences

Notes:

A specialization normally consists of 60 credits.

Students may take a maximum of 78 credits in a single subject area for credit toward the degree.

A major consists of 42 credits

A concentration consists of 36 credits

BA Graduation Requirements (September 2017 and onwards)

To graduate with a 3 year Bachelor of Arts degree, a student must:

meet all stated requirements for the degree;

complete 90 credits after no more than 132 credit attempts, with a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 (only courses taken at Laurentian University or its affiliated colleges are included in the calculation of averages);

not count more than 42 credits of first year courses.

minimum of 6 credits in courses promoting linguistic awareness

minimum of 6 credits in courses with a minimum of 50% Indigenous content

minimum of 6 credits in scientific literacy

To graduate with a 4 year Bachelor of Arts degree, a student must:

meet all stated requirements for the degree;

complete 120 credits after no more than 162 credit attempts, with a minimum GPA of 3.5 (only courses taken at Laurentian University or its Affiliated Colleges are included in the calculation of averages);

not count more than 42 credits of first year courses.

minimum of 6 credits in courses promoting linguistic awareness

minimum of 6 credits in courses with a minimum of 50% Indigenous content

minimum of 6 credits in scientific literacy

Notes:

A specialization normally consists of 60 credits.

Students may take a maximum of 78 credits in a single subject area for credit toward the degree.

A major consists of 42 credits

A concentration consists of 36 credits

Linguistic Awareness Requirement for the BA (6 credits)

According to their category, students need to follow 6 credits from the table below: STUDENT CATEGORY

REQUIREMENT

1)

Students completing a B.A. with at least one concentration, major or specialization in an French-language program

6 cr. in LANG 1005FL Grammaire appliquée à la rédaction

OR the former FRAN 1805FL

2)

Students admitted based on a TOEFL score (or equivalent) or EAP Level 3

6 cr. in ENGL 1550EL Academic Reading and Writing

3)

All other students completing a B.A.

Note:

Option a) will be attractive to a wide range of students, whether their career aspirations are regional, national or

CHOOSE ONE OF THREE OPTIONS:

a) Learn a new language (or improve second language skills)

6 cr. in French, Nishnaabemwin or Cree; or

in another language other than English;

NOTES:

Transfer credits in languages not currently taught at Laurentian University or its federated partners (e.g. Hebrew) may be used to fulfill this requirement. Credits earned in various languages may be used towards the 24-credit Certificate in Basic Multilingual Competence.

FL courses are available in many disciplines in Arts and Science. Students who obtain at least 15 credits in each official language can obtain the https://laurentian.ca/faculty/arts/certificates-ba-students Certificate of Bilingualism while completing their degree. Go to: for further information.

Indigenous Content Requirement for the BA (6 credits)

All students must take 6 credits of courses with at least 50% Indigenous content from the following list:

A. students are not eligible to take courses in Forensic Science (FORS) with the exception of FORS 1016/1017EL. However, students transferring from Forensic Science into the B.A. may use their FORS credits towards this requirement.

Change of concentration/specialization/major within Arts or Science

A student who wishes to change concentrations/specializations/majors requires the permission of the department chair of the new concentration/specialization/major. The student’s current academic status must be “may proceed in program” or “may proceed in program on probation.”

Courses

Offered in English only at Thorneloe University

For a complete listing and full course descriptions, please see the Religious Studies section of Laurentian University’s Academic Calendar or the web pages for the Joint Department of Religious Studies.

RLST 4345 EL – Special Readings in Religion and Modern Culture (6 credits)

The following Religious Studies courses are offered by distance. For more information please visit Laurentian Online at online@laurentian.ca or contact Thorneloe’s Distance Education Coordinator at online@thorneloe.ca.